40 Years–40 Stories of InnerAct Alliance | Story #10: Celebrating the Red Ribbon Run

 

40 Years-40 Stories|Story #10: Celebrating the Red Ribbon Run-We've Come a Long Way Baby!

InnerAct Alliance's signature event, the Red Ribbon Run, stemmed from the humble "Just Say No" March of the early days and grew into the first time, first-even one-mile run for youth and adults in Lakeland called the Red Ribbon Classic in October 1992.🎽

Fast Forward to Today

Our agency has been recognized for hosting one of the largest drug prevention awareness campaigns in the state of Florida! The Red Ribbon Run brings together thousands of students, parents, schools, supporters, and volunteers to champion a healthy, drug-free lifestyle. The Red Ribbon Run marks the culmination of the month-long Red Ribbon Campaign - sharing prevention messages across Polk County and reminding our youth that their choices matter and that their community supports them.🏅

A Generational Tradition!

It's incredible that this awareness event now spans a generation - with parents who ran in the Red Ribbon Classic 34 years ago now bringing their own children to run! What an amazing legacy of prevention!

Here's How You Can Help for the 2026 Red Ribbon Run on Saturday, October 31, 2026

$40 = supports 1 student & Family on race day
$40/month = funds a commercial to promote the event and its mission
$400/month = sponsors timing for the race heats
$4,000 = sponsors event sound & music
$40,000 = transforms the Run into a festival experience

Donate by

Texting IAA to 26989

https://www.inneractalliance.org/#donate

#40Years40Stories #InnerActAlliance #RedRibbonRun #GenerationalImpact #PreventionLegacy #PolkCounty #DrugFreeLifestyle #Community Tradition

World Teen Mental Wellness Day - March 2

 

Today is World Teen Mental Health Awareness Day, observed annually on March 2, to raise awareness about unique mental health challenges faced by today's youth and to help de-stigmatize reaching out for support for common issues like anxiety and depression and feelings of loneliness and isolation.

Kids deal with so much these days and it's understandable that many struggle with peer pressure and bullying, both on social media and in-person. Many times, they may not know how to take all of this in. As it builds up, it can begin creating overwhelming stress, anxiety, fear, and depression.🙍

A recent study from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that 41.5% of teens in America say that they need more emotional support than they are receiving and 93.1% of parents were not aware of this need, believing that their child received adequate support. It is concerning that this study shows an important communication disconnect between generations.

InnerAct Alliance joins our prevention partners at the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) to remind parents to carefully monitor your teen's mood changes and find time to talk with them about mental health. Pay attention to the little signs that may signal changes in your teen, such as withdrawing from friend groups, spending more time alone in their rooms, becoming significantly more irritable or complaining about headache/stomach aches, wanting to skip school...😟

Having a trusted adult to talk to helps foster mental health development, enhance communication skills, and build confidence. Face-to-face conversations may help relieve some of the pressures they are feeling. Be their safe space and reassure them that it's okay to reach out for help. Let them know you will always be there to listen and support them - an important first step to helping break the stigma.💪

A great resource from SAMHSA to help you get started on talking to your children about mental health is available online at:

 https://www.samhsa.gov/find-support/helping-someone/helping-your-child